Croydon’s Autism Partnership Board (APB) is seeking new members from the borough’s autistic community for a four year period commencing 6 May 2022.
Serving on the board will mean you will work alongside key local stakeholders such as those who provide health care, local employers and voluntary and charitable groups to improve and develop services for the autistic community of Croydon.
The national autism strategy requires that adults with autism and parents and carers should be involved in this area of work.
The APB is looking for people from the following categories:
- Three carers of children or young people on the autism spectrum
- Three carers of adults on the autism spectrum
- Five adults on the autism spectrum
- One young person on the autism spectrum between the ages of 16 and 25
If you would like to join the board, please email your interest to Kevin Oakhill at kevin.oakhill@croydon.gov.uk– you will be sent an email with instructions on how to apply.
The closing date for the initial expression of interest is 5pm, Wednesday 6 April 2022. You will hear back by Friday 8 April with the next steps.
The Croydon APB considers autism issues relating to all ages. Last year, the council appointed its first autism inclusion lead officer, Kevin Oakhill. The board played a lead role in implementing this positive development.
They are particularly keen to receive applications from those on the autism spectrum and carers who have a record of active involvement in voluntary organisations which provide, or campaign for, services for Croydon’s autistic community.
The board is also interested in those who have a commitment to consultation and communication with people on the autism spectrum and their carers about issues brought before the board.
Anyone with an interest in autism in Croydon can observe board meetings provided they have made a prior request to the chair, and may speak with the agreement of the board.
Councillor Jerry Fitzpatrick, Croydon Council’s autism champion and chair of the Autism Partnership Board, said: “We want to support our autistic community by working together to make Croydon as autism-friendly as possible. To achieve this, we must increase understanding of autism right across our communities. Around one in 40-60 people are autistic and every person is different, but almost all face challenges because of their autism.
“This is an important time for the Croydon autism community. The council agreed its first borough Autism Strategy in July 2021, and board members will play an important role in developing our action plan, helping to shape the future of services for people with autism in Croydon.”
If you would like to know more about the work of the board, please contact Kevin Oakhill on kevin.oakhill@croydon.gov.uk .
